The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Along the way, we repeatedly level up by finding monsters, gradually accumulating experience for Saaya and Punisuke.

As it becomes harder to level up the higher the level, Saaya didn't level up at all after noon.

For Punisuke, since all the enemies we encounter are considered much higher rank, it's in a state of leveling up easily if it defeats them... though being a slime, its stats are still all below 20.

Since we progressed to the 100th floor of the dungeon and reached level 50, it will probably take Saaya a few years to reach the same level. Once things settle down with the higher-ranked demons, I'd like to take Saaya back to the Kingdom of Stoania. Not just for leveling, but we also left our dungeon conquest unfinished.

We arrived in town at dusk.

It's not a very large town and the outer walls aren't very high, but several golems were standing by near the gate. Of course, they weren't as huge as the fortress golems, but normal human-sized stone golems, with their magic user operators standing alongside them.

By the way, it seems that the main style for soldiers in this country is not heavily armored spearmen, but mages wearing robes.

As usual, we show our adventurer cards and pay the passage fee to enter. Since it was late afternoon, the area in front of the gate was quite crowded.

"Bookstore, bookstore."

"After we get an inn."

"Okay~"

I try to calm down the fidgety Saaya and look around for a moment.

The Adventurers' Guild... hmm, doesn't seem to be near the gate.

Inns are usually located near the Adventurers' Guild. In this world, most travelers are either merchants or adventurers, so naturally, inns tend to be concentrated in such areas. Merchants' Guilds are only in large cities, so there's no need to look for one in a town of this size.

We walk towards the center of town. There weren't many people on the streets.

While the main commerce in the towns of the Mataisa Kingdom is street stalls, this town doesn't seem to have many. Most shops are operating inside buildings, and perhaps because of that, all the shop signs are large and flashy. Whether it's a difference in national character or culture is unclear, but on average, public safety seems good.

It's good that it's not chaotic, but if there was a street stall culture, we could easily buy some meat skewers while asking for directions to the Adventurers' Guild.

It's a bit troublesome, but should we enter a nearby shop and ask?

As I was thinking this, I noticed a crowd gathering ahead.

Quite a number of adults seemed to be surrounding something and making a commotion.

"I wonder what's going on~"

"Mm, can't see."

Saaya and Elenora were stretching as tall as they could, trying to see over the crowd. It's probably impossible for the little ones.

I don't want to stick my nose into trouble unnecessarily, but it's in our direction anyway.

I spoke to an old man at the back of the crowd.

"Did something happen?"

"They say they caught the culprit from yesterday's golem destruction incident. But it seems the guy's insisting he's innocent, and some adventurer girl is defending him... Hey boy, I don't recognize your face. Are you an adventurer?"

"Well, yeah."

A golem destruction incident, huh.

It's best not to get involved in unrelated incidents, so it would be prudent to ignore it and pass by. Maybe we should look for a different road.

As I was thinking this, I heard a familiar high-pitched voice.

"I'm telling you! Listen to what he has to say!"

"We've listened, but he just keeps saying he doesn't remember, which makes him suspicious."

"I-I really don't remember!"

"Tch, as if we could believe that."

"At least give him a chance! I'll help until he remembers, okay!"

I stopped and looked through the crowd.

More precisely, I used my ability to 'see through the crowd and recognize only the people on the other side'.

...Ah, it's just as I thought.

"Ruruk?"

"Sorry, you two. I'm going to stick my nose in this. I know someone there."

I don't know why she's defending the supposed culprit, but leaving her alone would go against my principles.

Above all, it's her.

"But with this many spectators, we can't get close."

It seems the townspeople are very interested in last night's golem destruction incident.

With this many people gathered, it's probably better that things haven't turned violent yet, but...

A dangerous voice echoes from beyond the crowd.

"Who the hell are you anyway! You're not in cahoots with him, are you?"

"I told you, I'm not! I'm just a passing adventurer. I couldn't ignore a young man about to face vigilante justice, that's all."

"Young man? You look pretty young yourself... Ah, wait, are you an Elf?"

The man who was confronting the culprit seemed to notice, and a murmur spread through the crowd.

Yes, the Elf adventurer—Mererosu.

Her beauty, unchanged from four years ago, was drawing everyone's attention.

"That's right. I'm Mererosu, the hunter, daughter of Bere Alan from the Visage Forest. I'm a solo B-rank adventurer. I've clearly stated my identity, so I'd like you to compromise a little. Come on, Mr. Soldier."

"E-Elf or not, who do you think you are, mere adventurer?"

So the man confronting her was one of the soldiers.

He seemed to hesitate a bit when he realized she was an Elf, but it looks like his pride wouldn't allow him to compromise.

Whether this town is generally harsh towards adventurers or not, the hostility of the surrounding people towards Mererosu and the man she was protecting was intensifying.

It's quite a tense atmosphere.

Hmm, what to do.

At this rate, vigilante justice might break out, but if I call out, being an adventurer myself might add fuel to the fire.

As I was hesitating, Saaya tugged at my sleeve.

"At times like this, you should just go for it."

"But what if it turns into a commotion?"

"Isn't it already a commotion?"

Saaya smiled, looking exasperated.

"Hey Ruruk, whose side do you want to take? Strangers you don't even know? Or a friend who might face mob justice? Trying to resolve things peacefully is one of your good points, but you need to prioritize what's important. Isn't that friend more important than the general public?"

"Well, yeah, she is important."

Priorities, huh.

Indeed, I've been acting based on clear priorities up until now. The most prominent example was when I saved Saaya.

Come to think of it, I haven't been holding back much since coming to this world...

"Besides, I'm sure you'll be fine, Ruruk. We're not going to harm anyone, so just go for it. Even if you fail, you've got me, Elenora, and Punisuke with you, right?"

"...You're right. Let's do it."

Maybe I've become passive since Roze left.

With this push from behind, I made up my mind.

First, the premise is not to injure the crowd. We need a way to settle this situation while adhering to that.

I could use my [Word Soul] and settle it in an instant, but I promised Roze to use it as little as possible. So then...

"So, who can incapacitate everyone here at once?"

"Mm."

"I can, nano!"

Elenora and Punisuke raised their hands.

An unexpected response, so let's ask Punisuke first.

"Well then, Punisuke, what do you plan to do?"

"Knock everyone out, nano!"

"Rejected."

"Sad face, nano~"

Looks like he wasn't really listening.

But I'll forgive him because he's cute.

"Then, Elenora?"

"Mm. Wind, darkness, choose."

"Darkness is gravity increase, right? What about wind?"

"Solidify air."

Oh, when did she learn such magic?

Solidifying means it can restrain more securely than increasing gravity. The possibility of injury should be lower too.

No need to hesitate.

"Alright, please do it."

"Mm. [Air's Lock]."

A magic with a name that sounds like a world heritage site was activated.

"Whoa!"

"W-What's this!?"

"Eek, I can't move!"

"Huh? What? What's happening?"

Everyone present started screaming.

I thought she was going to solidify all the air in this area, but it seems Elenora only solidified a few centimeters of air on the surface of everyone's body from the neck down. The mana in that area is bound together like iron, continuously interfering with the air.

It's a wind magic of extremely thin range, possible only with high proficiency.

"Really, Elenora is cheating too."

"As expected of Elenora."

"Mmfu~"

I patted the proud sheep girl and quickly slipped through the crowd towards the center.

They were half in panic, but seeing our group moving around nonchalantly, they seemed to realize that this abnormal situation was caused by magic.

Gradually lowering their voices, they began to focus on our actions.

I emerged from the crowd and stood in front of Mererosu.

Of course, Mererosu is also affected by the magic, so she's frozen with her arms spread out to protect the man behind her.

Ah, long time no see. You're as beautiful as ever.

"Wow, an Elf! She's really beautiful!"

"Eh, who are you...?"

Mererosu responded with confusion to Saaya's voice, which was out of place in the tense atmosphere.

I guess it's hard to remember immediately after nearly four years.

I hope she remembers us at all.

I put off greeting Mererosu for now and called out to the crowd, shielding her with my back.

"We are the adventurer party [Rozewill]. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we had to intervene like this because our acquaintance was in danger. We'll release the magic now, but please do not raise your weapons against us. If you don't heed this warning, we'll use this magic again. In that case, please understand that we won't release it until tomorrow morning."

An eerie silence fell.

The soldier closest to us was dripping with cold sweat.

"Elenora."

"Mm."

When Elenora released the magic, everyone started moving at once.

Some maintained the same posture they were in, but most people's legs gave out and they squatted or sat down.

No one showed clear hostility towards us. Most people were either confused or scared.

The soldier at the front was on his knees, desperately praying to the pendant hanging on his chest. Was he so scared he was shaking... Well, I guess anyone would be frightened if they suddenly couldn't move their whole body. Sorry, sorry.

Anyway.

"Well, it's been a while, Mererosu-san."

"If I'm not mistaken, it's Ruruk-kun. And that's Elenora-chan."

Oh, she remembered us.

I'm grateful because it would have been embarrassing to explain myself.

Mererosu smiled weakly.

"It's been about 5 years, right? You've grown, Ruruk-kun. Are you becoming an adult?"

"It's been 4 years and a bit. I'm 13 now."

"I see. You're almost an adult then. And Elenora-chan... huh? She hasn't changed, has she?"

"Mm, hehehe."

Mererosu was confused because Elenora looked exactly the same as she remembered.

Ah, that's right.

Before, we always had perception interference on, so she thinks Elenora is human.

Of course she'd be suspicious if a human child hadn't changed in 4 years. Mererosu is someone we can trust, so I'll explain it to her later.

More importantly.

"I didn't expect to meet again like this, but I'm glad to see you're doing well. It looked like you were in a troublesome situation."

"You really saved me. Thank you. As always, Elenora-chan's magic skills are incredible. What adventurer rank are you now?"

"We're both B-rank."

"B-rank in just 4 years... No, judging from what I just saw, you could probably reach A-rank any time now."

"We're not aiming for rank-ups, so that's up to the Guild Master. More importantly, Mererosu-san, could you explain what happened? We've gotten involved now, even if it was our choice."

"Ah, right. It all started when—"

Mererosu began to explain.

She started to tell us why the young man sitting dejectedly behind her was in this situation.